Only On Paper [ K.TH FF]

Chapter Seven

"How was your day?", Taehyung asked, as his hands rested on the hand brake and I couldn't help but let my gaze linger on the veins protruding over his arm and meeting the flawless skin of his fingers. His eyes were focused on the road, jaws slightly clenched as if there was a train of thoughts running past in his head. 

"It was fine. The infrastructure is great. The classes were nice too. Even though it was only the first day, I think I may have made a friend....", My words faded in the air when I noticed  that he wasn't really paying attention. So I quieted down, now glancing out the window.

Why was it so hard to talk to him?

"I didn't see you the whole week.", I said the words which I was meaning to say the whole time.
His gaze momentarily shifted to me, as I was looking at him.
"I was busy with work.", he replied, nonchalantly.

I wanted to ask if it was because of me. But I feared I would sound too desperate or too clingy. Which I am not actually but Kim Taehyung is the first person who is compelling me to act differently and I don't even know why.

We drove through the streets of Seoul which were still unfamiliar to me.
We stopped somewhere and Taehyung parked his car in front of what seemed like a lavish hotel adorned with golden fairy lights.

"Where are we going?", I asked, as we got off. He put on his coat and smiled at me, "It's your first day of college. Thought we should celebrate." 

As I finished straightening out the creases of my overcoat, Taehyung was already beside me with the soft scent of his cologne and body warmth invading my personal space. Before I could take a step forward, a foreign yet familiar feeling of my hands in his enveloped me and he tugged  them in his coat pockets as he led me inside the restaurant. The warmth of his hands intertwined with mine overwhelmed me. I couldn't decipher if my cheeks warmed up due to the cold winter breeze or because of the warmth of our hands radiating to my entire body.

The receptionist greeted us and led us to our table. Taehyung had already made the reservations. The fact that he planned this made my heart swell in glee.

We were soon served wine before the waiter took our orders. Taehyung ordered for the both of us.
"You didn't have to do this for me.", I say, looking around at the magnificent interior of the restaurant. All this once again reminding me that I would never be able to get used to this life of luxury that he lived in.

 He smiles at me, for the first time and knowing that the reason for his radiant smile was because of me sure struck a happy cord in me. An even bigger smile appeared on my face as I looked back at him. 

"It's just that I wanted to treat my wife to some good food.", he says, while taking a sip of the wine, never once taking his eyes off of me. Why is he so charming?

"Thanks.", I smile at him and he winked at me coolly. It felt so nice to be able to be like this with him.

Noticing that my glass of wine was still untouched, he frowned, "You don't like wine? Should I order champagne? "

"No, no. It's just that I haven't had any alcohol before.", I laugh awkwardly, feeling embarrassed at my lack of alcohol consumption.

His gaze softens and he gives me a genuine smile.
"What would you like then?"

"I love apple juice.", I answered and he ordered it for me.

---After dinner---

We were driving back home, when Taehyung's phone rang.

Everything was going so well the whole evening but that dreaded phone call changed Taehyung's demeanor. Just when I felt him getting close, he again became cold and distant.

"Yeah, I'll be right there, Sooyoung-ah.", saying that he hung up the call.

"Who was it?", I asked, as he step up the accelerator. He seemed to be in a rush.

"A friend.", he says, coldly.

Soon, we pulled in front of the house and I got off.

"You will come home right?", I ask, bending to see him through the window.

"Don't wait up for me. I'll be late.", he sighed. I step back and he drove off.

But somehow I knew he wouldn't be back tonight and I knew she wasn't  just a friend.
Will this marriage work? I want it to work.